Press



4 L. A. CAMEROTA 2,300,339

PRESS Filed April 4, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q' N Q 1 Q}. Q k N Q if 'Q WJTNESSES; S3 INVENTOR; 7 g 4 Louis .iazmeroia,

M I AvTTOR-NEYSi lNVENTdR: Louis .61 Camerota,

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 PRESS Filed April 4, 1941 L. A. CAMEROTA FIG: 2Q

A TTORNEYS.

Oct. 27, 1942. L CAMEROTA PRESS Filed April 4, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet 3 FIGL 3 37 1 1 30 W E i 36 i P- a; 1.1

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FIG. 5

Fig 48 46 A If mu/171% 2s 50 WITNESSES; INVENTOR."

Lodzis .5 mm,

Y BY W 474% ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 27, 1942 PRESS Louis A. Camcrota, Burlington, N. J., assignor to Florence Pipe Foundry & Machine Company, Florence, N. J a. corporation of New Jersey Application April 4, 1941, Serial No. 386,830

6 Claims.

' of such a follower to keep it in proper correspondence with the coacting pressure-applying member of the press structure; to prevent such a follower from skewing in its own plane; and to prevent such a follower from skewing or cock ing in transverse or longitudinal planes perpendicular to its own plane. In suitable forms of embodiment, the invention permits of realizing any or all of these purposes in a press.

Presses for the manufacture of rubberized belting or the like are of considerable length and involve the application of pressure on considerable areas, so that the forces involved are very considerable. Such presses are commonly arranged with their platens horizontal, and the upper and lower pressure-resisting structures of the press are interconnected by rows or series of massive upright tie-rods or columns along opposite sides of the press. Considerable heat may be applied in such presses, for the purpose of softening or of curing or vulcanizing the material treated. As the press may be as much as some thirty feet long or over, and as the treating temperature may be fairly high, the coacting pressure-applying members of the press are subject to substantial thermal change in length, which may be of the order of threefourths inch, more or less.

For the purpose of, accommodating and freely permitting such thermal change in the press follower while guiding its movements up and down, I employ guides suitably distributed or located in its length, and coacting with tie-rods at opposite edges of the follower, these guides engaging around their tie-rods and preferably surrounding them eompletely, and also embracing or engaging above and below portions of the corresponding edges of the follower, but not being fixed to it in any way. Of course the relations of engagement between the guides and the follower edges may be reversed, so that projection(s) on the guide(s) engage in groove(s) in the edgeis) of the follower; or various other more or less equivalent forms of tongue and groove engagement may be employed, so long as oppositely facing transverse shoulders on a guide engage with (either around or between) .corresponding l:ngitudinal shoulders on the follower against displacement of the guide lengthwise of its tierod relative to the follower. Such change-permitting guides may be located wherevermost desirable in the length of the follower, as on the tie-rods at one or both ends .of the two series or rows above mentioned.

Other guides may be provided on the opposite edges of the follower forcoacting withcorresponding tie-rods, these latter guides being attached or fixed to the follower and engaging around their tie-rods sufiiciently to control the position of the follower portion to which they are attached lengthwise ofthe tie-rods, though not necessarily surrounding the latter.

With respect to the interrelations of the two types of guides, the position-controlling guides may be located at any points suitably removed from the change-permitting guides: e. g., the position-controlling guides might be at one end of the series of tie-rods, and the change-permitting guides at the other end thereof; or the position-controlling guides may coact with mid tie-rods (i. e., tie-rods at or near the middle of each series), and the change-permitting guides may coact with end tie-rods (i. e., tie-rods at or near the opposite ends of each series).

When guides of these two types are suitably constructed and applied in conjunction, as ex plained hereinafter, they keep the follower in proper correspondence with the coacting pressmcmbcr by controlling its position both lengthwise and transversely with respect to this member and to the press tie-rods; they prevent the follower from skewing in its own plane; and they also (especially the chan e-permitting guides) resist skewing or cocking'of the follower in the transverse planes defined by corresponding tie-rods of the two series. To reinforce the resistance of the guides to skewing or cooking of the follower in longitudinal planes parallel with the two series of tie-rods, I preferably provide coacting motion-equalizing means connected to the opposite ends of the follower, such, for example, as toothed rack-bars each attached to the rear of the follower near an end thereof and meshing with a toothed pinion fast on one end of a sufficiently stout longitudinal shaft mounted in suitable bearings attached to pressure-resisting structure of the press.

Various other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a species or form of embodiment, and from the drawings. Indeed, all the features and combinations shown or described are of my invention, so far as they are novel.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side view of a beltmaking type of press conveniently embodying the invention, intermediate portions of the press being broken out at two points to allow of showing the essential parts on a reasonable scale, and

' the breaks being taken through pressure cylinders of the press in both instances.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the press from the right of Fig. 1; but in its left-hand half it shows the press mainly in vertical cross-section taken through one of its pressure cylinders.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side view of one of the position-controlling guides of the press, part of the guide and press follower structure being broken out and in section; and Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan and section view showing this guide and part of the follower in section as indicated by the line and arrows IV-IV in Fig. 1.

5 is a fragmentary plan and sectional view of one of the change-permitting guides and part of the press-follower, taken as indicated by the line and arrows VV in Fig. 1.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the press comprises top and bottom pressure-resisting structures I0 and I I interconnected by series or rows of upright tie-rods or columns I2 along opposite sides of the press. In the present instance, the top and bottom structures I0 and II each consist of a series of transverse top and bottom crossgirders or heads, and corresponding tie-rods I2, I2 of the two series interconnect the opposite ends of corresponding top and bottom girders. The frame-like units formed by corresponding upper and lower girder-heads I0, II and columns I2, I2

may be interconnected and suitably spaced by longitudinal tie-rods I3 whose ends are suitably secured through lugs or ears II on opposite ends of the girder-heads. The lower girder-heads II are shown resting on a pair of longitudinal rails I4 I, I that extend the whole length of the press, and may be made in sections and bolted together at I 42. The upper and lower pressure-applying members or plattens I5 and I6 extend along the whole length of the press, the upper member I5 bearing upward against the upper heads "Land the lower member I6 resting on a rigid follower 20 that also extends the whole length of the press. The plattens I5, I6 may be held to the structures I0 and 20 with freedom for thermal expansion and contraction (especially lengthwise) by'any suitable means, such as, brackets 2|, 22 bolted to said structures I0, 20 at suitable points in the length of the press and engaging under and over projecting lugs 23, 24 on the edges of said plattens. Any convenient means for heating either or both plattens I5, I5 (directly or indirectly) may be employed, such as steam supplied through any suitable connections, not shown.

Pressure may be-exerted between the top and bottom structures III, II by means of suitably arranged press cylinders 25 with pistons or plungers 26. As shown, two cylinders 25, 25 symmetrically located at opposite sides of the longitudinal center-line of the press rest on each of the lower heads II, while their plungers 26 bear against the lower side of the follower 20. Pressure fluid may be admitted and vented to and from the lower ends of the cylinders 25 through pipes 21 connected to a suitable system of piping and control valve means, not here shown.

The parts thus far described are essentially old,

and have been explained as a background for the understanding of my present invention.

To control the lengthwise and transverse position of the lower pressure-applying member I5 and the follower 20 relative to the upper pressureapplying member I5, the structure I0, and the tie-rods I2, guides 30 are shown attached to the mid-portion of the follower 20 at its opposite edges, for abutting against the inner sides of corresponding mid tie-rods [2a, I21: and engaging around them at least part way. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, these guides 30 consist of metal blocks that are seated and secured against the edges of the follower 20 by bolts 3|, and have in their outer sides (preferably) semi-circular recesses conformable to the (preferably) circular tie-rods I2a which they. engage. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, readily changeable shim-plates 33 are interposed between the backs of the guide blocks 30 and their projecting seats 34 on the edges of the follower 20, as a means of taking up any looseness (arising from wear, for example) that would allow objectionable transverse play of the follower between the tie-rods I2a, I21 at its opposite edges; Besides controlling the positions of the follower 20 as already mentioned, the guides 30 also tend to resist skewing or cocking of the follower in transverse vertical planes defined by corresponding tie-rods I2 of the two series, as well as skewing of the follower in its own horizontal plane.

As here shown, the vertical length of the guide blocks 30 exceeds the vertical thickness of the follower 20, and the lower ends of the blocks are thickened rearward to afford shoulders 35 that engage under the lower corners of the follower. The guides 30 may have removable semi-circular liners or wear-plates 36 for engaging the tie-rods I2a, with end flanges or shoulders 31 for engaging V corresponding rabbet-shoulders at the upper and lower ends of the guide blocks. These liners 36 may be held in place in the semi-circular recesses of the blocks 30 by means of plates 38 bolted to the blocks at either side of the recesses and overlapping the edges of the liners.

To guide and control the follower 20 most ef- I fectually against horizontal skewing in its own plane, and also against skewing or cooking in the transverse vertical planes of corresponding tierods I2, I2 of the two series, guides 40 are shown mounted at opposite ends of the follower, on both edges thereof, for coacting with corresponding end tie-rods I217, I217, I2b,- I2b. .As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, these guides 40 not only engage guides 30, the guides 40 are shown in Fig. 2 as grooved or shouldered at 42, 43 above and below the seat portion ll of the follower edge, so"as to embrace this edge portion of the follower snugly but not tightly. Thus the guides 40 leave the ends of the follower 20 free for longitudinal movement relative to the end tie-rods I2 when thermal changes in the length of the follower occur.

For convenience in assembly, the lower shoulder 43 of each guide 40 is shown as consisting of a separate plate detachably secured to the lower end of the guide -40, as by bolts 45; and the guide is shown as madein halves divided on a vertical longitudinal plane through the axisof its tie-rod l2b and detachably secured together by bolts 46. As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the halves of the guide 40 have horizontal key and groove interengagement at 41 to facilitate correct assembly. Readily changeable shim-plates 48 are shown interposed between the guide halves, as a means of taking up any looseness and play (arising from wear, for example) that would tend to allow cooking of the follower 20 relative to the tie-rods I2 in transverse vertical planes. the guide 40 may have removable (substantially) semi-circular liners or wear-plates 50, 50 for engaging the tie-rod I2b, with end flanges or shoulders at their lower ends for engaging corresponding rabbet-shoulders at the lower ends of the guide halves. These liners 50, 50 may be held in place in the guide 40 by means of the plates 43 already mentioned and other plates 52 bolted to the lower ends of the guide halves and overlapping the lower ends -of the liners, as best shown in Fig. 2.

To aid or reinforce the control of the follower against cocking in vertical longitudinal planes parallel with the series of tie-rods l2 that is afforded by the guides and 40, motion-equalizing means are shown in Figs. 1 and 2 as connected to and interconnecting the opposite ends of the follower. The form of equalizing means here illustrated comprises upright toothed rackbars 55 having their upper ends secured to the rear or bottom side of the follower 20 by fastenings 55, and meshing with toothed pinions 51 fast on opposite ends of ahorizontal longitudinal shaft 58 mounted in bearing brackets 59 upstanding from and attached to the lower structure H of the press.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. The combination with two spaced series'of press tie-rods and a press follower extending lengthwise between said two series of tie-rods for coaction with a pressure-resisting structure held by said tie-rods, of guides embracing said tierods at opposite ends of both series, said guides being wholly exterior to the follower and having oppositely facing transverse shoulders engaged .with corresponding longitudinal shoulders on the follower to prevent displacement of the guides relative to the follower lengthwise of their tierods, while leaving the follower free for unlimited longitudinal movement relative to said tierods and guides when thermal changes in the length of the follower occur.

2. The combination with two spaced series of press tie-rods and a press follower extending lengthwise between said two series of tie-rods for coaction with a pressure-resisting structure The halves of lower in a longitudinal plane parallel with said series of tie-rods.

3. The combination with two spaced series of" press tie-rods and a press follower extending lengthwise between said two series of tie-rods for coaction with a pressure-resisting structure held by said tie-rods, of guides attached to said follower at its opposite edges for abutting against and engaging around tie-rods of said two series, to control the position of said follower both lengthwise and transversely with respect to said tie-rods, and other guides embracing tie-rods of said series remote from those engaged by the first-mentioned guides, the last-mentioned guides being wholly exterior to the follower and having oppositely facing transverse shoulders engaged with corresponding longitudinal shoulders on the follower to prevent displacement of the guides relative to the follower lengthwise of their tierods, while leaving the follower free for unlimited longitudinal movement relative to said lastmentioned tie-rods and guides when thermal changes in the length of the follower occur.

4. The combination with two spaced series of press tie-rods and a press follower extending lengthwise between said two series of tie-rods for coaction with a pressure-resisting structure held by said tie-rods, of guides attached to said follower at its opposite edges for abutting against and engaging around mid tie-rods of said series, to control the position of the mid-portion, of said follower both lengthwise and transversely with respect to said tie-rods, and other guides embracing tie-rods at opposite ends of both series. the last-mentioned guides being wholly exterior to the follower and having oppositely facing transverse shoulders engaged with corresponding longitudinal shoulders'on the follower to 1 prevent displacement of the guides relative to held by said tie-rods; of guides embracing said tie-rods at opposite ends of both series, said guides being wholly exterior to the follower and having oppositely facing transverse shoulders engaged with corresponding longitudinal shoulders on the follower to prevent displacement of the guides relative tothe follower lengthwise of their tie-rods, whereby theyresist skewing of the follower in the transverse planes of corresponding tie-rods of the series, as well as in its own plane, while leaving the follower free forumlimited longitudinal movement relative to said tie-rods and guides when thermal changes in the length of the follower occur; and motion-equalizing means connected to the opposite ends of said follower for resisting skewing of the folthe follower lengthwise of their tie-rods, whereby they resist skewing of the follower in the trans verse planes of corresponding tie-rods of theseries, as well as inits own plane, while leaving the follower ends free for-unlimited longitudonal movement relative to said last-mentioned tierods and guides when thermal changes in the length of the follower occur.

5. The combination with two spaced series of press tie-rods and a press follower extending lengthwise between said two series of tie-rods for coaction with a pressure-resisting structure held by said tie-rods, of guides attached to said follower at its opposite edges for abutting against and engaging around mid tie-rods of said series, to control the position of the mid-portionof said follower both lengthwise and transversely with respect to said tie-rods, and other guides wholly exterior to the follower embracing tie-rods at opposite ends of both series and embracing the corresponding edges of said follower, whereby they resist skewing of the follower in the transverse planes of corresponding tie-rods of the series, as well as in its own plane,- while leaving the follower ends free for unlimited longitudinal movement relative to said. last-mentioned tierods and guides when thermal changes in the length of the follower occur.

6. The combination with two spaced series of press tie-rods and .a press follower extending lengthwise between said two series of tie-rods for coaction with'a pressure-resisting structure held by said tie-rods;' of guides attached to said followerat its opposite edges for abutting against and engaging around mid tie-rods of said series, the position of the mid-portion of said follower both lengthwise and transversely with respect to said tie-rods; other guides wholly exterior to the follower embracing tie-rods at opposite ends of both series, the last-mentioned guides having oppositely facing transverse shoulders engaged with corresponding longitudinal shoulders on the follower to prevent displacement of the guides relative to the follower lengthwise of their tie-rods, whereby they resist skewing of the follower in the transverse planes 1 of corresponding tie-rods of the series, as well as in its own plane, while leaving the follower ends free for unlimited longitudinal movement relative to said last-mentioned tie-rods and guides when thermal changes in the length of the follower occur; and motion-equalizing means connected to the opposite ends of said follower for resisting skewing of the follower in a longitudinal plane parallel with said series of tie-rods.

- LOUIS A. CAMEROTA. 

